Saturday, September 29, 2007

Aunt Tara bought us this very cool bathtub. Andrew LOVES it!! He was splashing around in there and having a great time while we stood around watching him and taking pictures. He probably thinks we're crazy....and, honestly, I'm not so sure that he'd be wrong.

Are you three just going to stand there or are one of you going to wash my back??

See?? He LOVES it!!

If I'd know bathtime was this much fun, I wouldn't have screamed the whole time I was in the sink at the Marriott.

We are HOME!!! Andrew slept the WHOLE way both legs of the trip. He was amazing!! Gramma and Grandad were at the airport to meet us. It was a long day, but things went as well as they possibly could have and we are glad to be home---well, sort of home. :)

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

We are OFFICIAL!!! We had our embassy appointment this morning and everything went great. We were there for about 2 hours and Andrew slept for an hour of it. We also discovered that he LOVES Cheerios. He got the hugest smile on his face when someone gave him some. We get our Visa tomorrow at 4:00 and then we are done with all the paperwork!!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Andrew's foster mom told me that he only takes 15-20 minutes naps. She was NOT lying!! :) I think that when I was praying for a child, I forgot to mention "good sleeper". We're having a great time playing together. I SWEAR he remembered me. I know everyone says that, but in this case, I think it's really true!!He does the cutest, scrunchy face thing when he's laughing. He doesn't make much noise, but smooshes his face all together. I got a great picture of it today. I PROMISE to try to figure out how to post some pictures tonight after dinner. A bunch of people from the adoption forum are meeting for dinner and I'll have some time after that.

Here are the pictures of Andrew and I when he was placed in my arms forever. His beautiful foster mom took very good care of him. She kept pointing at me and telling him, "Mommy". She wrote him a wonderful letter that I will have translated and will save for him. He's a very blessed little boy to have three moms who love him so much.

Monday, September 24, 2007

I made it to Guatemala safe and sound. I'm so excited I'm not sure how I'm going to get to sleep tonight!! The trip was fine. The first leg of the flight was a little crowded, but the flight from Houston to Guatemala was pretty empty and went by quickly. Andrew is supposed to be here tomorrow at 10am. Guess I should try to go get some sleep so I don't look ridiculously tired in the pictures and videos.I'll post new pictures as soon as I can.

I'm leaving today for Guatemala!!! I can't believe this day is actually here. Andrew will be in my arms tomorrow at 10am. I will try to post pictures as soon as I can (when I can tear myself away from hugging and kissing on him).

Thursday, September 20, 2007

It's finally starting to sink in that I am actually going to pick up Andrew in a few short days. Next Tuesday, he will be in my arms forever. What an amazing moment that is going to be.Going through this process has been the strangest, most wonderful journey I've ever been on. I'm so glad that so many of you were there during it. I don't know how I would have gotten through it without you. So many of my friends and family have made an impact in one way or another.My wonderful mortgage guy who helped me figure out the funding to get this whole process started (thanks Joe!); my friends who threw and/or attended an amazing shower; my Aunt Sherry who single-handedly prayed us through several of the rough spots; everyone who offered support and a kind shoulder through all of this; those of you who celebrated with me at all the milestones; my church friends who welcomed me with open arms; and my wonderful, amazing 'summer sisters' who have given me love, support and information that I could not have found anywhere else. And most of all...my parents; who have been supportive every single step of this process. I can't WAIT for them to meet their newest grandson.

I just wish I could find all the right words to tell you guys how much your love and kindness has meant to me throughout the past 15 months. Andrew is such a blessed little boy to have so many people waiting to love him.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Knowing that God's timing is best and REALLY believing it can be two very different things. I know that my way is not always the best way, but sometimes I need a reminder. I wanted Andrew to come home this week (ok--I wanted him to come home three months ago), and I was upset that the embassy was closed this week. It meant waiting an extra week. I prayed for God's timing....I swear, I did....but I hoped for my timing. Here's why God's is better: (and by the way, God doesn't just have one or two reasons. There's a whole list)

My mom's last chemo treatment was Sept 6 and she sounds stronger than she has in a very long time. She will be able to really enjoy her newest grandson.

I gave Andrew the middle name of Charles after both of my grandfathers. I didn't know my dad's dad very well. He died when I was two. But I LOVED my mom's dad---Grandpop Wilson. I miss him so often. My grandfather loved me and I felt it every time I was with him. I'm flying to Guatemala on September 24--my grandfather's birthday.(you just got goosebumps, didn't you?)

Starting my maternity leave next week means that it will take me right up to the day before Thanksgiving break, which means 9 weeks with my son instead of 8.

1/3 of my school team has not been there yet this year; either because they were on maternity leave or because they weren't hired yet. They both start back to work next week. That doesn't make much of a difference for me, but it sure does for my two wonderful classroom assistants and the woman who will be subbing for me.

And most importantly, Andrew has been sick. I don't think it's serious, but he has had a double ear infection and some sort of respiratory problem that has required a nebulizer. I would never have put him on a plane with ear infections. It sounds like he is at the end of whatever he has had...he has another doctor's appointment on Thursday and I will know more then. Next week is definitely a better week for him to fly than this week.

"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12

A very loose paraphrase of this verse would be: "Hindsight is 20/20". It certainly is amazing when you can see God's plan unfold and it all makes absolute sense.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

This is the first weekend in a LONG time that I have really enjoyed. Usually, I wished them away in the hopes that I would get new information on Monday. Not much happens in the adoption world on the weekends. It felt really good to just enjoy my free time on Saturday and Sunday without wishing it were Monday.

I was reading someone else's blog the other day and there was a song onthere that I had never heard before---it is amazing and has been hauntingme ever since. I borrowed it and added it to my playlist. It's called "ThePromise" by Tracy Chapman.It's a beautiful song. Thanks Nicole!

Friday, September 14, 2007

I realized today that tomorrow morning may well be my last chance to sleep in for the next 18 years! If you want to remain my friend....do NOT call me before 10:00am tomorrow morning. I have been fighting a cold all week, getting ready for my maternity leave and generally using up most of the adrenaline that my body has made in the past 3 months. I'm TIRED. It is great sleeping weather here and I plan to take full advantage of it.Nighty-night.

Andrew is 8 months old today!!On Sunday night, my mom predicted that I would get pink on Andrew's 8 month birthday. I basically told her she was nuts and there was no way it could happen. (in my defense, I still thought the DNA was lost). But it is totally possible that it could be today!! And yes, I did call her and apologize.I might have to have a little piece of birthday brownie or something with sugar to celebrate!

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

The U.S. embassy is not giving any visa appointments for next week. Looks like my appointment will be sometime the week of the 24th. Most likely, Wednesday or Thursday of that week. Rats.At least, I know I'm on the home stretch and I have some sort of date to look forward to.I know that a lot of people complain about the Guatemalan part of this process, but I have breezed through the Guatemalan part. My adoption has been held up by the U.S. every step of the way. I'm thinking it would help the unemployment rate if we put a few more people to work on the adoption paperwork. :)

Monday, September 10, 2007

Pink is the last step in this process---it is the piece of (pink) paper that the embassy issues telling you your embassy date---usually a week later.My DNA results should be back at the U. S. embassy today which means they could issue pinktomorroww!! Holy cow---it's all becoming very real and I'm SO excited!!!!

Not only was Andrew's DNA already at the lab last week, (they said it wasn't there) but it has been processed and should be in Guatemala City by tomorrow night at 6:00 pm!!!!You know what this means???I should be picking Andrew up NEXT WEEK!!!!!! I can barely think straight, I'm so excited. I have to start making some plans!!!!

Friday, September 7, 2007

I've never been a big fan of our Governor (although I do love open road tolling) but today I LOVE him.My superintendent called to tell me that yesterday our lawyer signed a bill stating that adoption maternity leave is to be considered the same as biological maternity. I'm getting PAID!!!!!!

edited: I checked on this bill today. It was signed August 14! My sup told me it was signed yesterday.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Wanna know how stressed out I am? I left my friend sitting in a restaurant tonight waiting for me because I completely forgot we were meeting for dinner! (Wendy, I am SOOOOO sorry!!) Those of you who know me even a little bit know that the one thing I don't forget to do is eat! I remember making the plans and then two seconds later, they were gone.I still haven't heard from the lab to know if the DNA sample is there. I think I finally reached my peak of anxiety---I decided today, after school, that I can't continue like this. (and that was before Wendy reminded me that I was supposed to be meeting her for dinner). I went and bought myself some flowers on the way home tonight and decided that I need to find a way to have a little bit of peace for the next few days. I know I won't hear anything until tomorrow at the earliest, so I'm going to try to relax a little bit tonight. My agency is working on the problem and there is hope of some communication tomorrow. So, I will leave it up to them and God and I will try to focus on being a better teacher and friend right now. If you've been praying for me to have some peace in all this, keep praying. I think it's working. :)

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

I've been watching this latest hurricane because it was supposed to hit Guatemala. It looks like Guatemala will get a lot of rain, but nothing much stronger than that. Andrew is safe, as is his birth family, since they are south of where it is hitting. But, the people in northern Guatemala are likely to get a lot of rain and that can cause mudslides. Their houses are often precariously built as it is. Rain can be devastating.Please say a prayer for the people in Guatemala.

Hurricane Felix trackeredited to say that it looks like the storm has taken a completely different path and may miss Guatemala altogether.

Monday, September 3, 2007

cleaned the kitchenscrubbed the sinktook out the trashtouched up the paint in the living room, dining room, hallway and my bedroomemptied the fridgedusted swifferedwindex'd the interior windows of my carcleaned the upholstery in my cararmor-all'd the interior of my carmade my bed--but I always make my bed, MOM! (she always made us make our beds but she doesn't make hers!! Can you believe that?)

I'm going out to the pool with my book and I'm going to try not to clean anything else today. (there's actually nothing left in my house to clean, which is why I had to go outside and clean my car)

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Our Guatemalan friend, Allyson, turned 1 yesterday. Her baptism is today and she's been celebrating all weekend. We can't wait to see birthday/baptism pictures. Until then...here's a great picture of Allyson when she was 10 months old. Doesn't she have the best hair???

Saturday, September 1, 2007

What a nightmare this second DNA has been.I was submitted for pink/2nd DNA on Aug 16.On Tuesday, Aug 28, I was told that the sample had been taken and sent and we were just waiting for results.After an embarrassingly large number of phone calls/emails to Labcorp, I found out yesterday at 4:00 that the sample still hadn't arrived at the lab.I called my agency to find out that since it was the Friday before Labor Day, there was really nothing that could be done until Tuesday.I called my wonderful translator, Bryann, in Guatemala last night who informed me that the DNA sample had been done yesterday. Yes, you read that right. YESTERDAY!!

So, now I know. The sample has been done and it is on it's way to the lab in North Carolina.Please pray that it gets there safely, gets processed quickly and gets back to Guatemala without any further delays.

My TpT Store

Customized Art Fundraiser

Want a personalized piece of art for your child, your family or a friend? Check these out. I will personalize it to your specifications and then email you the. jpg to print as many times and as many ways as you wish. These looks great printed and framed, printed on a canvas or used to make gifts.
Prices are listed under the pictures. If interested, please email me at:
ruthannefocht at gmail dot com.
All proceeds go toward bringing Manno home to our family!
Thanks,
Ruthanne

Photo Name Prints

Your child's photo with his/her name in three tones of grayscale. $30 for a 16x20 digital image (.jpg) to be printed or used any way you would like.

Superhero brothers

8x10 Superhero/brother print. Your choice of colors. Can also substitute 'sister' for 'brother'. 7.50 as is (printed and shipped) 8.50 with changes to colors. (printed and shipped)

Superhero prints

5x7 superhero bath prints. 7.50--printed and shipped you choose the background color ($12 for the set of two) can be sized to 8x10

Monogram Print

Customized monogram art. You choose colors and monogram/name. $10 for 8x10 digital image (.jpg) to be used as many times as you would like.

Monogram Print

Customized monogram art. You choose colors, monogram/name and country outline. $10 for 8x10 digital image (.jpg) to be used as many times as you would like.

Monogram Print

Customized monogram art. You choose colors and monogram/name. $10 for 8x10 digital image (.jpg) to be used as many times as you would like.